SINGAPORE - It is the start of the Easter long weekend, and to celebrate the holiday, restaurants around town are pulling out all the stops.

If you want to indulge, there are lavish buffet spreads with live stations offering everything from foie gras and prime rib, to seafood and myriad desserts.

Many restaurants have also included activities for children such as Easter egg hunting, egg painting and other Easter-themed games. Some have employed balloon sculptors and magicians, as well as set up bouncy castles to keep the little ones entertained.

Here are 20 places to dine at this weekend, two of which are offering an afternoon tea spread.

FOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN

AQUAMARINE, MARINA MANDARIN SINGAPORE

Slow-roasted lamb shoulder will be one of the dishes at AquaMarine's Easter brunch. PHOTO: AQUAMARINE / MARINA MANDARIN SINGAPORE

Let your kids go on an egg hunt as you tuck into a spread that includes a slow 16-hour roasted lamb shoulder with orange and fennel; sous vide organic eggs and smoked salmon with spinach herb espuma; salted egg yolk hot cross buns and other desserts. Kids can also get their faces painted, watch balloon sculpting and bounce away the afternoon in a bouncy castle.WHERE: 6 Raffles Boulevard, Level 4MRT: EsplanadeWHEN: Sunday, noon to 3pmPRICE: $68++ for adults, $34++ for children aged five to 12TEL: 6845-1111INFO:E-mail aquamarine.marina@meritushotels.com or go to www.marinamandarin.com.sg/dining

RAFFLES GRILL, RAFFLES HOTEL

Samples of the brunch spread at Raffles Grill. PHOTO: RAFFLES HOTEL

The luxury brunch will showcase seafood such as Maine lobsters, tiger prawns and oysters. Feast on beef and Welsh lamb saddle, as well as a gourmet selection of cheeses with freshly baked breads and pastries. There are live stations as well as dishes that are served to you at the table. Children will be kept entertained with egg-hunting games and goodie bags with fun treats.WHERE: Raffles Hotel, 1 Beach RoadMRT: City HallWHEN: Sunday, noon to 3pmPRICE: $218++ a person with with Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé Champagne, $198++ a person with Billecart-Salmon Brut Réserve ChampagneTEL: 6412-1816INFO: E-mail dining.singapore@raffles.com

CAFE MOSAIC, CARLTON HOTEL SINGAPORE

Dine at this buffet lunch and you could be one of 10 parent-child pairs to participate in a hot cross bun baking class. The buffet will feature seafood on ice, cold entrees, hot dishes such as scallops, prawns and squid in chilli crab sauce, roast beef and slow-oven leg of lamb at the carving station.
WHERE: 76 Bras Basah Road
MRT: City Hall
WHEN: Sunday, noon to 3pm
PRICE: $68++ an adult, $34++ a child aged six to 12
TEL: 6311-8195
INFO: E-mail cafe.mosaic@carltonhotel.sg

SABIO BY THE SEA

Dine by the waterfront at Spanish tapas restaurant Sabio By The Sea. PHOTO: SABIO BY THE SEA

The Spanish tapas restaurant has more than 32 tapas and grilled items to choose from. Offerings include tapas standards such as gazpacho, serrano ham, patatas bravas and cheese croquettes, as well as deep fried oysters and grilled tuna steak. There will be craft activities for kids.WHERE: 31 Ocean Way, 01-02 Quayside Isle, SentosaMRT: HarbourFrontWHEN: Saturday and Sunday, 11.30am to 3.30pmPRICE: $59.90++ for an adult. Kids (seven to 11) eat for free for every paying adult who orders the Easter Weekend Brunch. Additional children, $30++ each.TEL: 6690-7568INFO: Go to www.dhm.com.sg/sabio/

THE SQUARE, FURAMA RIVERFRONT SINGAPORE

Activities to keep kids entertained as well as Easter treats such as hot cross buns will be available at The Square at Furama RiverFront. PHOTO: FURAMA RIVERFRONT

Besides customary Easter treats, The Square at Furama RiverFront Singapore will also have Easter buffet add-ons. Diners can expect a variety of items such as chicken pie and roast meats. A dedicated children’s play area will have cartoon shows, activity sheets and toys as well as balloon-sculpting and face-painting (1 to 2.30pm) on Easter weekend.WHERE: 405 Havelock RoadMRT: Outram ParkWHEN: Thursday to Sunday; lunch: noon to 2.30pm; dinner: 6 to 10.30pm
PRICE: $70++ an adult ($20++ a child up to age 12), includes free-flow sparkling juice; add $8++ for a glass of sparkling wine, house pour wine or beerTEL: 6739-6468INFO: furama.com/riverfront/Dining

LITTLE HOUSE OF DREAMS

PHOTO: LITTLE HOUSE OF DREAMS

The Easter Brunch Buffet will feature a live carving station among other delectable delights. There will also be live entertainment including a magic show, face-painting, balloon sculting and a dessert station just for kids.

Each child will also receive an Easter cookie decorating kit.WHERE: Block 8 Dempsey Road, 01-14MRT: Holland VillageWHEN: Sunday, 10am to 3pmPRICE: $75 an adult, $38 per child (aged four to 12); $95 a person (with two cocktails); $115 a person with a free-flow of beer and wine.TEL: 6472-4977INFO: E-mail hello@littlehouseofdreams.com or go to www.littlehouseofdreams.com/store/pc/home.asp

BARNACLES BY THE SEA, SHANGRI-LA’S RASA SENTOSA RESORT & SPA

A magic show and an Easter egg hunt are among the activities on Easter Sunday at Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort & Spa. Brunch at Barnacles by the Sea will have items such as Boston lobsters, fine de claire oysters, and beef wellington. The buffet dinner at Silver Shell Cafe will feature signatures such as fresh seafood on ice, seafood paella, black pepper crab and deep-fried tempura.WHERE: 101 Siloso Road, SentosaMRT: HarbourFrontWHEN: Sunday; brunch: noon to 3pm; dinner: 6 to 10pmPRICE: Brunch: $158++ an adult (free for one child up to age five, accompanied by a paying adult; $38++ for each additional child); dinner: $68++ an adult (free for one child up to age five, accompanied by a paying adult; half-price for those aged six to 11)TEL: 6371-1966INFO: E-mail fbreservation.sen@shangri-la.com

FOOD CAPITAL, GRAND COPTHORNE WATERFRONT

The buffet spread at Food Capital can include seafood items such as crab legs and oysters. PHOTO: GRAND COPTHORNE WATERFRONT HOTEL

MONTREUX JAZZ CAFÉ

Chocolate eggs. PHOTO: MONTREUZ JAZZ CAFE

The Sunday Jazz Brunch affair will feature a raclette station and a meat carving station. Main courses range from Eggs Benedict to the BB King Cheese Burger, while dessert includes pancakes and the sticky date pudding.

For the kids, there will be Easter-themed activities that include games and egg painting.WHERE: Pan Pacific Orchard, 10 Claymore Road, 01-02MRT: OrchardWHEN: Sunday, 11 am to 3pm.PRICE: $98++ a person including a free flow of champagne, alcoholic beverages and soft drinks; $78++ a person, no alcohol. Children pay $34++ a headTEL: 6733-0091INFO: Go to www.montreuxjazzcafe.com/en

MITZO, GRAND PARK ORCHARD

Together with its Cantonese dishes, Mitzo will be serving a selection of egg dishes for its Easter Champagne Brunch. Highlights include deep-fried quail’s egg coated in truffle peanut sauce, scallop steamed egg in pork consomme and stir-fried egg with shredded abalone. The little ones can join a one-hour Easter workshop.WHERE: Level 4 Grand Park Orchard, 270 Orchard RoadMRT: Orchard/SomersetWHEN: Saturday and Sunday, 11.30am to 2.30pmPRICE: $88++ a person, includes one cocktail, champagne, wine or beer (add $20++ for one child access to Easter workshop with a take-home playdough kit); kids under age six dine freeTEL: 6603-8855INFO: E-mail rsvn@mitzo.sg

PLATE, CARLTON CITY HOTEL SINGAPORE

Plate at Carlton City Hotel Singapore is rolling out a buffet spread on Easter Sunday, with activities such as bunny-ear handicraft activities for children. Besides seafood on ice, the lunch will feature roasts such as herb-crusted lamb leg and prime ribs.WHERE: Level 3 Carlton City Hotel Singapore, 1 Gopeng StreetMRT: Tanjong PagarWHEN: Sunday, noon to 2.30pmPRICE: $35++ a person; half-price for children aged seven to 12 (free for kids up to six years old)TEL: 6632-8922INFO: E-mail f&b@carltoncity.sg

OTHER LAVISH MEALS

OPUS RESTAURANT, HILTON SINGAPORE

The brunch at Opus Restaurant will feature prime rib, seafood and Scotch eggs, to name a few items. PHOTO: HILTON SINGAPORE

At this indulgent brunch buffet, there will be a seafood station with oysters from Australia, France and the US, Alaskan ing crab, and Maine lobsters. Other highlights include a foie gras station, a cheese room, a charcuterie station, as well as Asian and Western dishes. The restaurant’s charcoal grill and meat carving stations will feature prime rib, pork knuckle and racks of lamb. Also look out for the six-metre-long dessert showcase with more than 30 sweet treats.WHERE: Hilton Singapore, 581 Orchard Road, lobby levelMRT: OrchardWHEN: Sunday, noon to 3pmPRICE: $108++ a person, $128++ a person (free flow of sparkling wine, selected white and red wines and beer), $168++ a person (free flow of champagne, selected white and red wines and beer); $55++for a child aged five to 12 (children below the age of five dine for free)TEL: 6730-3390INFO: E-mail sinhi.F&B@hilton.com

ALATI

Salt-baked fish is one of the items on Alati's a la carte menu. PHOTO: ALATI

Greek restaurant Alati in Amoy Street is throwing a Greek Easter party and doing a whole lamb spit this Easter Sunday. Head there for lunch, which will also include dishes such as red eggs with Tsourek Easter brioche; grilled feta with tomatoes, capsicum, olive oil and oregano; tzatziki; and loukoumades or Greek fried doughnuts with cinnamon and walnuts. There will also be live music and activities.WHERE: 73 Amoy StreetMRT: Telok AyerWHEN: Sunday, from noonPRICE: $100++ a person for adults, and $50++ for a child, aged six to 11.TEL: 6221-6124INFO: E-mail pala@alati.sg for reservations.

DB BISTRO & OYSTER BAR

PHOTO: DB BISTRO & OYSTER BAR

Tuck into a lavish three-course meal at celebrity chef Daniel Boulud’s dB Bistro & Oyster Bar. Start the meal with a Flight of Caviar with three seasonal oysters, wasabi, tobiko, salmon ikura and oscietra caviar; followed by a choice of main course such as a wild mushroom and truffle omelette; steak and eggs with Alaskan king crab; and a Boston lobster Benedict, with eggs on English muffins. End the meal with the chef’s signature Ile Flotante, a steamed meringue with creme anglaise.

You can also opt for a la carte menu if three courses are too much for you.WHERE: Bayfront Avenue, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, Galleria Level, B1-48MRT: BayfrontWHEN: Friday, noon to 5.30pm; Saturday and Sunday, 11.30am to 5.30pm.PRICE: $88 a person for three courses. Add a glass of champagne for $25.TEL: 6688-8525INFO: Go to www.marinabaysands.com/restaurants.html

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